Ready Art Explains the Growth Lab - Episode 025, Discord Q&A

This is a series of posts where I answer questions I get from you inside and outside the Patreon about what the fug is happening in the Growth Lab. All of the following is from the Discord that YOU are all welcome to join at any time! It's part of your rewards!

 Questions are in BOLD.

Have you ever seen a woman who looks like one of your characters?

YES! Many times. I had a scrap board of images once for Luna and a few other characters. Luna's body was similar in my mind to Rachel Aldana's, though even that has evolved over time. Now if you are asking about if I have seen someone like one of my characters in PERSON then the answer is also yes. Mostly here and there as a miscellaneous sighting of 'large boobs'.

How do you feel about gender bender stuff (i.e. Male to Female/Female to Male transformation)?

Good question. I am about the most basic interests when it comes to transformation stuff. Mostly BE/GTS and now some FMG. FMG being a completely recent and fun add thanks to the Patreon. Beyond that I sometimes check out various art and stuff but not a lot out there does a whole lot for me. Gender swap or gender change stuff kind of like futanari to me. Interesting but nothing I seek out.

I’ve been thinking recently about the different types of giantesses there are. I was wondering what type is your favorite? Do you prefer gentle more nicer giantesses, cruel giantesses who want to destroy, or is the answer more in the middle?

Generally speaking, I prefer the idea of the gentle, shy giantess. Now, you might not gather that from some of the comics and art but yah, that is my overall preference. Still, I love destruction rampages (environmental ones mainly). I enjoy a giantess freak out from time to time where she is angry at something or other and takes it out on the local landscape.

Addendum to that: Scale? I like mini-GTS but appreciate bigger of course what's your favorite (and for what its worth I think everyone appreciates stuff outside their favorites)

Hmmm, good one. I think I find myself partial to the 10-15 foot range (3-5 meters). Most of the giants I draw are in that range. The thing for me with large or superlarge is always the scale. For the giantess to look neat (in my opinion) it's nice to have some scale next to her so you understand how big she is. For me that means maybe double or triple the average height. Still, I have tons of super sized people in the comics and animations so I mos-def vary it up.

Do you have any ideas for a grand finale to the Growth Lab universe if that was ever to happen?

A little inside baseball talk.... So, I don't imagine the GLab Universe wrapping up completely as in 'all cured' and no more stories in it. I do see a couple grand arcs coming up. One of the ones I am working on now is the North American military command (the ones we are reading about - Hannah, Luna, Bill, etc) is teaming up with the European command group to work on some possible containment problems and cure. I think it will be fun to show an entirely new team and how they handle the growth on their end.

Ah, do you have any ideas for the European characters? I remember there was a French woman who showed up in Michelle part 2

Well, I won't give too much away but yes. I will be having characters from all over Europe. ( France, UK, Italy, some from Ukraine, Denmark and more!). These will all be various scientists or military experts.

Ready did you ever ERP online when it comes to giantess and expansion? I know some people (me included) got a lot of content from their own RPs when there wasn’t much early on.

Hey! I never did any RP regarding giantess or expansion. Not much of a RP'er myself unless it's Dungeons and Dragons. hahah Seriously though, I do remember the early days and the scarce content. With not much going on and I can imagine RP and the like helping compensate for that.

So.. hopefully this hasn't been asked before. What's your favourite part of the body to draw or animate growing, and why? In fact that's a stupid question. Okay taking BE out of the factor then, what's your second favourite?

I think my favorite part to draw or animate besides the BE growth stuff would probably be the faces of the ladies. I feel that is where a lot of the fun can happen during a transformation. I was mentioning in another comment how I feel making a pretty face is a big deal and I work to make all the different character faces as unique as I can as well as working to make them as pretty as possible.

I do love drawing things like rear ends, legs, hands and feet. Those are all fun but the face has to be nice for me to really 'like' the drawing. By nice I specifically mean a good expression, a good 'look' and maybe something that helps make the look individual.

What's your thought process when rendering clothes destruction during growth?

That's a good question! The old was way to just draw clothes like some random bed sheet ripping in random ways. The way I do it now is I rip along the stress lines or the actual seams of the clothes. Believe it or not I actually study the way clothes are made (at least a basic understanding) so that when I draw the clothes ripping or tearing they look like they might be 'real'. In the end though , it's mostly about what looks cool and seems to fit the moment. I do spend a lot of time trying to make it look interesting and the clothes are creating some nice action lines.

In regards to how you handle clothes ripping, I do notice that often they tend to be close-up shots. You ever consider showing the characters full-body shot, in the middle of growing?

Yah, I think my older more classic "Ready Art" three panels were like that. I do have a lot of shots I have been adding to the latest comics which are more full panel. For the animations I am planning a few of those too! The animation ones are a tiny but trickier just because of the format but I have some ideas!

Have you ever want to go back to some of your older work, like the Teen Titan comic you did, and re-do and/or add more to them? The way the nipples and breast drawn are, to this day, my favorite. I remember seeing this waaaaaay back and falling in love with Big breast and Breast expansion cuz of this here pic (Teen Titan’s Raven)

Great that you like those and I am never sure if people are interested in seeing the 'old' way of drawing things. I will keep it in mind though - I think there might be some redo's coming in the future!

Oh man, I would Loooooove to see you so this Star Fire in the same way the nipples were drawn in separate frames, or at least more spread out. Nothing against the what you draw nipples now, but this was always my fav and would love to see it done again. Hell, If you are open for commission, I'll ask for it if possible

Yah, it's interesting that I moved AWAY from drawing nipples like that since I never really got any feedback on it and mostly just started trying new ways out. It's all over the place now! haahha. I'll keep it in mind and regarding commissions I know there are a few others who might be interested if I open up a slot. If anything does open up I will make some sort of announcement on the Patreon.

The way you draw faces changed over time too I see.

Oh man, that has changed a LOT. I think I mentioned this elsewhere but I always aim to draw what I hope is a pleasing face, a pretty or cute face for a lady. Most of the changes you see over time are me working on that. One thing about the very early stuff was the faces I drew were really flat. I think the got more sculpted over time (at least I hope). The latest drawings to me are so different from those early ones. Oh man!

I've gotta ask; any chance of futa/shemale stuff from you? I don't remember if I saw any or not, but figure I may as well ask. 

That is a great question (that I also get fairly often). For my personal tastes and drawings it's really nothing I am into. I had asked the patrons about it before but it was pretty divisive (some like a lot and others disliked a lot). At this point I don't see it getting into my art anytime soon. Again, this is only my take on the matter and not intended as a judgement of the art itself. For me, I'm not really into it. (I'm pretty basic with my BE/GTS likes) haha

Ok Ready here’s the million dollar question, say you’re given the chance to create tour dream girl who is a living, breathing, real girl. What kind of girl would you bring into the world? What does she look like? What’s her personality? How big is she? Can she grow bigger? I love hearing about what others would create!

Ohhh, that's an interesting question. I have my 'checklist' of things I like for sure. One thing I do like though, and it's hard to put on a list, is the idea of a fun but 'unpredictable' partner. I actually like people who can surprise me in a good way. You know, that can be humor or actions or whatever. Beyond that I am open to a lot of different looks though I do admit I like what I consider 'good looking' ladies (based on my own criteria) haha

The idea of a fun-loving hot shapeshifter in a relationship with someone has a lot of potential.

Strangely enough - shapeshifting was never an interest for me when I was doing the comics. Occasionally I will drop it in here and there. I guess I have done some monstrous stuff but that's about it.

Hey Ready. I asked this as a question on the original website post but figured this would be a way better spot. I really liked your drawing of the cheerleader expanding from a few years ago, and it got me wondering. Have you drawn any more pieces involving cheerleaders since then? And do you plan any more?

Holy MOLEY!!! That is a flashback. The answer to the first question is yes. I think some of the Growth Lab comics (#14-#17) there are sequences with cheerleaders growing. I am pretty sure After School, GLU #16 has some sequences. To answer the second question - it's a fun sequence to draw so I imagine there will be some ladies wearing cheerleader costumes growing down the line. Something like an NFL game might be the scene. I have thought about some sporting event like that having some epic grow off. Hope that helps and thank you for your support! I do appreciate it!

Story related question ready, obviously we know the grow energy affects the physique of someone, but does it affect them mentally? I know the men mainly get sexually aggressive but I’m not sure if affects the women’s personality at all.

It does and that affect varies from person to person. Some people become 'more' of what they are personality wise and others become 'opposite' or quite different. To be honest, a lot of it is basically what seems fun in the story at the time. Lately though I'm trying to stick a little more to established personalities or at least be consistent with the changes. Men though, yah, generally get aroused and even that one is up for grabs at times.

How exactly does the "Rocket Science" trigger phrase affect Luna (and those around her) and will she ever be able to remove it?

So beyond the one here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/ready-art-growth-28761942

The REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL answer is I just wanted some 'tripwire' thing that would cause a 'growing' episode. Sort of the equivalent of a Dr Banner gets mad moment. But I thought it would be nice if it was in the hands of anyone around, not just the person themselves. So, just a quick plot device. That's the real answer. The instory answer is explained much better in Flightplan. I actually try to go back into that early era of the Growth Lab and show a point where THAT particular phrase is created and used to trigger growth. It's a little ham-handed but at least it puts some backstory that makes a sorta sense on it. The first time I think it shows up historically is 2013's After School. I'm writing Flightplan now to explain it and it technically takes place in that era (and a little before)

Speaking of Flightplan, is the section taking place in the past era like a flashback?

Yah, in the sense I say "Back in the day" and then just show what is happening then. There are no clouds around the edges of the comic like it's a memory. It's just 'that time'. Yah, I think Flightplan will be a fun one. It's fun to go back and show some of the earlier adventures and expand a little on things.

Who would you say is your shyest, quiet character, and who would be your most rambunctious, sex-crazed character?

At the moment in the shyest character would be Trisha, the most rambunctious growth crazed is still Naomi. I'd hate to say she was only about sex but since the sex drive in her does increase with size then Naomi would be pretty 'sexual'.

Have you ever considered doing commission streams on Patreon? For example, maybe a certain tier can get a simple commission done on a stream, while another smaller tier can put in a vote on requests

I did stream for a little bit. I like doing it but I wasn't consistent enough to make it a 'thing'. For me I would want to deliver something regular versus 'on the spot' or erratic. My schedule to work is a little all over the place with the Patreon and the animations currently. I think I mentioned it elsewhere but more commission tiers are being considered at the moment! Still, interesting idea and thank you!

Have you done any like, growing through walls and floors of a building type scenes? Like seeing em start small from a side view of the building schematics and then they just grow up and through things?

As for the longshot type growing I have a few early animations with that and I think the January one had Trisha smashing through walls. All in all, it's not been a huge focus but it's something I love doing!

Here's a fun one. What's your favorite food? And does any of your art appeal to you sexually? Or are you like eh, I'm drawing for others

Very interesting question! Some answers - Favorite food.. hmmm. I'm more of a foodie now than ever so I like a LOT of types. That said, things like a really good burger or an amazing bowl of curry will always be winners for me. As for the art question - I got into art by drawing the things I personally like and I continue to do so. I think that is a BIG motivator for me. I really avoid doing things 'just for others' or 'just for money'. I don't know about other artists but those aren't huge motivators and I think when I follow that kind of a path the art loses a lot of energy (if that makes sense). I'd LIKE to think my art still has the energy and oomph of the old scribbles but it is a lot more refined. Still, I think 'liking' one's art can give it a lot of 'power' that is impossible to recreate otherwise.

Who got the biggest Titties out of all your characters? Normal Form and Growth form.

I LOVE THIS QUESTION! 

Short version: Normal form- Ultima and Growth Form- Luna

Long Version: OK... Biggest in normal form. I would say Luna straightaway BUT, and this is important I think we have reason to believe Ultima is probably right there with her. We see more of Luna for sure but the more Ultima's character is explored I think there is a very good argument that she is REALLY huge in her normal form. Biggest grown I think would be Naomi from the end of GLab 11? (I think?) The other really big one would be Luna at the end of GLab 12. There is an UPCOMING comic where it is clear Luna wins. The panel I am referring to with that sentence is the same one I used as a thank you picture in December 2019. That had Luna's boobs landing on the moon. That has to be the by far largest anyone has been. I think there was a moment in a GLab where Luna had 'technically' continent sized boobs but there was some hand waving about them being almost pure energy at the point and not really substantial.

I’ll follow up with who has the biggest booty normal and growth?? And also, out of each of the characters that can keep a level head even to giga standards who would be the last one to...break and give into the growth? I’d guess Trisha mainly due to her extreme shyness about it

Biggest booty normal would probably be Luna or PERHAPS Trisha. They are both more curvy than many of the other women. The growth depends on the situation but I know we have had moments where Naomi was SUPER large and others where various women competed for the booty crown. I think the biggest booty post growth has varied a few times! As for your last question that is VERY interesting and the subject of some upcoming stories. That is the question of giving into growth and who is the quickest to succumb to the ahem sexual side of it. I agree on Trish but there is a case to be made later that Karen is possibly in that same category. We won't know till down the line but it's worth watching her.

How long does a redraw/cleanup take to make compared to a new piece?

It depends on the page of course but a general rule of thumb is a new piece can take X hours, a REDRAW of that SAME piece (like art) will probably be about X again. That is due to the extra time and the added cleanup. The old art becomes a base drawing and I try to go in and add in new details and correct perspective and anatomy. 

If we are talking about COLOR for old art then it is more like 2 or 3 times X. Color and all that is a LOT of extra work. It's not hard work it's just time consuming since there is the shading and all that.

So if a 300 page comic took 300 hours to draw:

- a REDRAW would be roughly 300 hours (or more) 

- a COLOR JOB could be 600 to 900 hours minimum 

- Doing both could push it to 900-1000 hours. 

That's just an example of course and there is a lot of guesstimate in it. The variable X is all based on the original page time. If the page was REALLY loose then clearly the time would be shorter. If the page was VERY complicated then X is longer.

Are any more of the future comics gonna be continuations of past Glabs?

Well, technically.......... TECHNICALLY technically.... they are all GLab continuations. I just dropped the GLab part. But, yah, the latest ones are set back in that earlier time period. Telling a back story.

Ready what is your favorite restaurant/fast food that you go to often?

So many!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the longest time post college, I was a Taco Bell guy. I mean I ate there ALL THE TIME. By far the most affordable food for a budget. Still, I love me some Mickey D’s though I haven't eaten there in a LONG while. I don't eat out TOOOOOOOOOOOOO often. Mostly make food and when I go out it's not normally just for fast food. Still, I LOVE IT!!

Well, we've seen a Shulkie, a demoness... And chance we'll see Werewolves?

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO strange you would ask that! So strange. Interesting timing. haha I was thinking of adding in werewolves as a test somewhere down the line. Let's be clear about it first. 1) yes, it's a possibility. 2) it's not anything that would happen super soon 3) I would definitely run it by the Animation Tier in general first. For stuff like this that is technically out of the realm of the main Patreon I would probably start with something really small and incidental and see the reaction. Generally speaking, from past experience that kind of direction tends to get little interest since most people aren’t technically here for werewolves. Haha Still, an interesting idea. One thing I want to mention though is for the COMICS anything goes. I don’t run that by anyone and it’s a narrative mess but the comics are my lab so to speak. I do a lot of test work in there so werewolves in the comics is a lot more likely to happen.

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